Terror Mortal

A melodramatic and exciting thriller, boasting a dead man's chest full of red herrings plus an excellent British cast ( and Sterling Hayden), this tale of mayhem will likely keep you guessing to the very end as the plot twists and turns with the very lovely and talented Hayley Mills and "Young Winston" star Simon Ward at their best.There is a bonus, too. What Roy Boulting gave us a teeny peek of in "The Family Way" during Miss Mills' bath scene is revealed in it's divine perfection as British Film Industry veteran Sidney Hayers gives us a bathtub scene of his own. The movie belongs to Hayley anyway so that was a nice gift. WOW!

One surprise after another in this (would you call it a thriller?) English film. I especially liked it because it showed me a lot of England as it might look from a car window (at least in 1975). Stores, pubs, petrol stations and the everyday places you would encounter traveling along the road. All sorts of action takes place yet (somehow) it still manages to be on the slow side despite the excitement that keeps cropping up. The mystery of it, and its oddity and unpredictability keep it going. For some reason I really found the sounds in this film appealing.

Young British man offers stranded, pretty girl a lift--but is he the psychopathic killer all the police are searching for? Damp, chilly film from the UK does boast a stylish direction (the rolling compact, the chase in the parking structure) and fine performances from the principals, particularly Hayley Mills in what must have been just a quick movie-stop on her busy theatrical schedule of the 1970s. Mills isn't flatteringly photographed here, but she's a natural, never winking at the camera for affect and never adding more to a scene than is needed. Nerve-jangling yarn will probably surprise you with its twists. It has a compact screenplay and is well paced. **1/2 from ****

DEADLY STRANGERS opens with the escape of a dangerous -unseen- maniac from a mental hospital. Said psycho now roams the countryside, leaving a trail of victims along the way.

Meanwhile, young Belle Adams (Hayley Mills) is hitching her way to the train station. After escaping a lecherous trucker, she hitches a ride with a normal-looking young man named Stephen (Simon Ward). As they drive on, we learn about his history, as well as Belle's tragic past.

Sort of a road trip / mystery / thriller film, it's complete with murder, voyeurism, bikers, road rage, and the lovely Ms. Mills in just about every scene! She's really quite good in this. And yes, she does don her birthday suit. Also, watch for Sterling Haydon in an important cameo appearance...

Good movie plots remain with me. This is a movie I'd seen as a child and am lucky to find it here. It's a plot I've never forgotten and has quite a twist at the end. The only actor I remembered was Simon Ward. The acting was fine and, like so many of the British movies I've seen, nothing is overdone. No unnecessary violence and things blowing up for the sake of a boom. They don't write enough movies like this one. Other moves like this one is Vanishing Act with Elliot Gould, Silent Partner with Elliot Gould, and Sudden Fury (a very little known Canadian movie which should not be confused with the idiotic action film of the same name).

If you're the kind of movie fan who hates predictable movies then this movie is for you.